Ten Reasons Why Managers Fail

So why does someone get hired into a management position or rise up within an organization and then fail in their job?  A variety of studies point out that there are external influences that can contribute to managerial failure such as bad luck, or some sort of bias such as racism, sexism or ageism.  Others suggest that the fault does not lie in the individual, but in the hiring or promoting of the wrong people into the wrong positions.  The reality is that in the vast majority of cases, managers cause their own failure and here are the reasons why.

The ten primary reasons why a manager fails.

1. They cannot respond to the pain of growth and change which accompanies acquisition, merger or transformation of and organization adapting to an evolving market.
2. They vacillate reacting to critical situations and delay too long in taking needed actions.
3. They get promoted to their level of incompetence…in a job they don’t particularly want and can’t handle.
4. They work harder at being liked than being respected.
5. They behave inconsistently…anger one day, smiles the next..although the circumstances appear to be the same.
6. They are out of step with the culture and values of the organization, even in relatively minor-seeming matters.
7. They do not realize why they were promoted..that is, what goals and objectives their boss expects help in achieving.
8. They take co-workers into their confidence with “off the record” criticisms of a higher-up.
9. They demand changes in subordinates’ work habits without trying first to change their belief systems.
10. They delude themselves that the person who fails is always someone else.

So take the time to do a self evaluation of and review these ten causes of failure.  How do you feel you match up?  How do your peers or managers that report to you match up?

To learn more about effective management and leadership skills visit Bssential Solutions.

Bill Sifflard -  With over thirty years experience as an entrepreneur, an executive, an author and as a business consultant, Bill Sifflard has a long history of experience bringing innovation, efficiency and success to large and small businesses adapting to evolving markets. As a premiere Sales and Marketing Innovator, Bill is changing how business integrates traditional marketing strategy with the power and potential of the internet utilizing his "Velocity for Success" matrix. To learn more about Bill and Bssential Small Business Solutions you can visit http://www.bssentials.com and register for his Free eNewsletter or follow all of his blog posts by clicking on the RSS feed button above.